Hoist



Dec. 16, 1952 E. OSULLIVAN 2,621,320

HOIST Filed Aug. 18, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A Home y Dec. 16, 1952 Flled Aug 18, 1948 @atented Dec. 16, 1952 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICEv Application August 18, 1948, Serial No. 44,820 In Great Britain August 21, 1947 14 Claims.

This invention relates to hoists for the raising of goods and materials of various kinds and is more particularly concerned with hoists of the type which comprise a platform or the equivalent which is movable up and down a guide and in which means are provided for raising and lowering the platform. The invention is particularly concerned with such hoists which are adapted for the raising of bricks and other building materials from ground level to the working level of a scaffolding. The invention is not, however, limited to such hoists but is applicable to hoists for many other purposes.

Hoists of the above type intended for raising building materials are known comprising a vertical guide structure which is erected close to the outside of the scaffolding and which serves to guide the platform on which the materials are raised. With such known hoists, however, difiiculties arise in obtaining free access to the platform from the scallolding for unloading the materials, since the guide structure, which may consist, for example, of a pair of spaced-apart rails is often in the way, while there is usually an awkward and even dangerous gap between the edge of the platform and the edge of the scaffolding.

It is accordingly one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved hoist which overcomes these disadvantages. A further object of the invention is the provision of such a hoist which is particularly convenient in use and which is capable of a wide range of applications.

The above and other objects of the invention may be achieved by means of a hoist which comprises a column, a platform, means connecting the platform with the column for longitudinal movement up and down the column and for turning movement relatively to the column and means for raising the platform up the column.

The means for raising the platform may consist of a flexible cable or the equivalent which passes over a pulley at the top of the column. This rope or cable may be operated by a winch or other means. The means for controlling the angular position of the platform on the column may also include a cable or cables extending downwardly from the platform.

It will be apparent that the ability to turn the platform on the column provides a number of important advantages. Thus the column can be erected close against the outside of the scaffolding and the platform can be arranged to be on the outside of the column while being raised and lowered. In this position the platform is clear of the scaffolding, while it will usually be found to be more convenient for loading when it is at ground level. When the platform loaded with materials has been raised to the desired level it is turned about to the column towards the scaffolding so as to bring its edge close against or preferably overlapping the edge of the scaffolding staging. The platform can, in the latter case, then be lowered onto the staging so as to be supported by the latter and barrows can easily be run on and off the platform to unload the materials from it.

According to one embodiment of the invention a cylindrical, preferably tubular, column is used on which a carriage is mounted so as to be free to move longitudinally up and down the column and also to rotate relatively to it. In order to permit the carriage to carry out both these movements freely an arrangement of ball bearings is provided between the carriage and the'column with the balls running on the surface of the latter. The platform is rigidly mounted on the carriage and can thus be raised and lowered along the column while it can also be swiveled relatively to it. It is also possible, according to a modification, to use a carriage which is slidabl on the guide member but which is not intended to rotate on it. In such a case the platform is pivotally or rotatably connected with the carriage so that it may be turned relatively to it about the column. The latter need not now be cylindrical but could be of any desired form provided that it does not interfere with the turning of the platform.

When the means for raising the platform comprise a cable passing over a pulley at the top of the column it is preferred that this pulley should be mounted on a jib which is free to swivel on the top of the column. It is an advantage for the cable running down from the pulley to pass through the interior of the column when the latter is of hollow or tubular form.

To enable the height of the hoist to be adjusted to suit requirements the column may be made in the form of a number of sections which are adapted to be superimposed one on the other. Guy ropes may be provided for staying the top of the column or the latter may be tied to the scaffolding or other structure.

For the better understanding of the invention the same will now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a general view of a hoist constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a detail view, partly in section, of the top of the column of the hoist of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the mounting of the carriage which guides the platform of the hoist for movement on the column;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view showing the foot of the column;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing a modification;

Figure 6 is a plan view, partly in section, of the construction shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the hoist comprises a hollow tubular column I which is mounted on a base 2. The column I guides a platform which is indicated generally at 3 and which is adapted to be raised and lowered on the column by means of a cable 4. This cable is attached to the platform structure at 5 and passes over a pulley 6 and down inside the column I.

In Figure 1 the column I is shown as consisting of two superimposed sections Ia and lb which are connected together by means of a screwed connection. To form this connection the upper end of the section la is formed with a reduced threaded portion 1. This screws into the lower end 8 of the section lb which is formed with a suitable internal thread for this purpose.

The base 2 is in the form of a frame which is constructed of metal or any other suitable material and which may be of any desired shape. The frame, or at least the front part thereof, may be covered by means of a platform (not shown) which may be made, for example, of wood or metal. This platform may be supported above the base frame 2 by means of blocks 9 in order that the cable 4, and also a second cable II] the purpose of which will be described in due course, may pass between the platform and the frame.

The base frame 2 is provided with a pair of projecting members II the outer ends of which are connected to or form part of a frame on which a winch (not shown) for operating the cables 4 and I is mounted. This winch may be positioned in front of the base or at some other position relatively to it (such as at one side) as may be most convenient.

The lower section Ia of the column I is mounted on a plate I2 attached to the rear part of the frame 2. An internally-threaded socket I3 is secured to the plate I2 by welding or other means and the lower end of the column section Ia is formed with a corresponding thread I4 so that it can be screwed into the socket I3.

This socket and the foot of the section Ia are formed with registering apertures I and I6 through which the cable 4 is led to the interior of the column I where it passes round a roller I1 rotatably mounted on a transverse pin I8 fitted in the base of the column.

The cable 4 after passing up inside the column I is led over the pulley 6 which is rotatably carried by a jib mounted on the top of the column. The jib 20 is arranged so that it can swivel freely on the column, for which purpose it is connected with the latter by means of an anti-friction bearing. This bearing comprises two sets of ball-races 2I and 22 which are mounted within a sleeve 23. This sleeve 23 is attached to the upper end of the column section ID by means of an internally-threaded connecting sleeve 24 which is screwed onto the threaded ends of the section Ib and of the sleeve 23.

If desired the upper threaded end of the section Ib may be reduced in diameter to correspond to the part I of the section la, the sleeve 24 being formed with a corresponding thread in its lower end. This would permit the jib 20 to be mounted on the section Ia should a single section of column provide all the height that is required.

In any case it will be understood that as many intermediate sections of column may be interposed between the sections Ia and ID as may be needed to give the desired height. Each such intermediate section would be formed at its upper end with a reduced threaded part corresponding to the part I, while it would be internally threaded at its lower end.

The balls of the ball race 22 run on a bush 25 which is screwed into the upper end of the sleeve 23 and serve to support a flanged boss 26 which is screwed into the lower end of the jib 29. The calls of the other ball race 2I are housed between the top of the flange 21 of the boss 25 and a ring 28 which is screwed into the end of the sleeve 23. In this way the jib 2D is supported in a practically frictionless manner so that it can readily swivel about the column I to follow the movements of the platform 3.

The platform 3 is connected with the column I for longitudinal and angular turning movement on it by means of a carriage 39. This ride is in the form of a hollow tube which surrounds and is spaced from the column I. In order that the carriage 39 may move freely on the column I, both longitudinally and angularly, two sets of ball bearings BI and 32 are provided within the carriage 38 bearing on the column I. The balls 3| are housed between a fixed flange 33 fitted within the carriage 30 and a ring 34 which is screwed into the upper end of the carriage, while the balls 32 are housed between a similar flange 35 and a ring 33 at the lower end of the carriage.

Attached to the tubular carriage 30 by welding or other means is a vertical channel member 3'! which forms part of the platform structure. In the construction shown this structure comprises a frame including a rear member 38 which is mounted on the lower end of the channel member 31 and a pair of side members 39 and 43 which extend from the ends of the member 38. An arch member 4| is attached to the top of the member 3'! and also to the ends of the members 39 and 40 where they join the member 38. Diagonal ties 4i and 42 serve to brace the members 39 and 46, while, if desired, a pair of diagonal struts may also be provided connecting the members 39 and 4!] with the sides of the arch member 4|, thus providing additional strength to take the weight of the platform.

A platform, such as is indicated at 43 and which may be made of wood, metal or other material, is mounted on the members 39 and 40 and serves to support the material to be raised by the hoist. While a flat platform such as is indicated will usually be found to be the most suitable the invention is not limited to the use of such a platform which may be replaced by another load-supporting member of any desired form.

It will be seen that the platform 3 can be raised and lowered on the column I by means of the cable 1 which may be worked by hand or by means of a power-operated or hand-operated winch such as has been referred to above. If desired an automatic safety brake of an suitable known type may be provided on the carriage or on the platform structure, so arranged as to operate automatically in the event of breakage of the cable or failure of the winch.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the carriage 30 may be provided with a pair of rear brackets id designed for the attachment of a fixed or detachable counter-weight (not shown). The use of such a counter-weight would reduce the friction of the carriage on the column by balancing the load, at least in part, but it would of course increase the total weight to be raised.

Besides being movable longitudinally on the column I the platform 3 is also capable of being turned angularly about it. It is accordingly desirable to provide means for controlling this angular movement of the platform, particularly while the latter is being raised and lowered on the column. In the arrangement shown this is effected by means of the cable II) which is connected with the two outer ends of the platform side members 39 and to by short cable lengths G5 and 46. The cable Hl after passing round a pulley H is led to the same winch as the cable l, the winch being provided with two separate drums for this purpose. Alternatively the cable It] may be operated by hand.

The pulley 41 is mounted on an arm' 48 which projects from the socket I3 at the base of the column I. The arm 48 is connected with the socket I3 by means of a clamping ring 49 which fits in an external groove 59 formed in the socket and which is adapted to be tightened in it by means of a bolt and wing nut 5|. Thus the arm 48 can be adjusted angularly about the base of the column I and can be clamped in any desired position. If the cable IE is now pulled taut the platform 3 will be drawn to and held in the position in which it is directly above the pulley 4'! and cam 28. If the cables 4 and II) are hauled in or let out together, for example by simultaneous operation of the two winch drums, the platform 3 will be retained in this position while it is bein raised or lowered.

In order to ensure a free run for the cable I0 round the pulley 41 for different positions of the arm 43 the pulley t! is mounted in a fork 52 which is swivelably connected with the arm 48 by means of a pin 53.

The pulley 1'! may be fitted in any other suitable position and it need not be mounted on the column I itself. The pulley may thus be attached to the base frame 2 at any suitable position on it, for example, at the point 41a on the front of the frame 2. This will not permit of the position of the pulley being adjusted round the column, but providing that the joist is erected with the base and pulley on the side remote from the scaffolding this will not matter. If desired a number of alternative mounting points for the pulley could be provided round the base frame 2.

To make use of the hoist for raising material to a scaffolding used, for example, in the erection of a building, the column I is erected on the base 2 close against the outside of the scaffolding structure. Any desired number of column sections Ia, lb etc., may be provided according to the height required.

The top of the column may be secured by being tied or otherwise connected with a suitable member projecting from the scaffolding or it may be stayed by means of guy ropes extending from the top of the column to suitable fixed anchoring points on the ground.

The arm 48 is clamped in position so as to be on the side of the column remote from the scafiolding and the platform 3 is lowered onto the base 2, also on the outside of the column. The platform is loaded while in this position and is then raised to the desired level, the cable I0 being kept taut during the raising of the platform to ensure that the latter does not swing round and foul the scaffolding. When the platform has been raised to the necessary height the cable It] is allowed to become slack and the platform is swung round towards the scaffolding. This may be done by hand by a workman pulling on one side of the arch member 4| or, if desired, short lengths of rope may be provided connected to the rear corners of the platform to facilitate this operation. During the turnin of the platform the pulley 6 and jib 20 will turn with it, thus ensuring a clear run for the cable 4.

The platform can now be lowered so as to rest on the staging of the scaffolding. This enables it to be unloaded easily and safely.

To lower the platform after it has been unloaded it is first raised off the staging after which the cable It] is hauled in to turn the platform about the column until it is on the outer side of the latter above the pulley ll and clear of the scaffolding. The two cables 4 and I0 are then let out together, thus lowering the platform to the ground.

Figures 5 and 6 show a modified form of carriage which may be provided in the place of the carriage 30. The carriage consists of an inner tubular carriage member 66 and an outer tubular carriage member BI. The inner member 60 is intended to move longitudinally up and down the column I but not to rotate on it. For this purpose the member 69 is provided with upper and lower sets of roller bearings 62 and 53, the rollers of which are mounted'on pins 64 and 65 respectively which are fitted at the top and bottom of the member 60. These rollers run on the column I, as shown, and ensure free longitudinal movement of the platform up and down the column.

The outer carriage member 6| is rotatably mounted on the member 60, for which purpose the latter is provided with two sets of ball bearings 66 and 6'! which engage the member BI. The latter is prevented from moving longitudinally with respect to the member 60 by means of upper and lower rings 68 and 69 which are screwed into the ends of the member SI and which bear against the ends of the member 69.

The platform structure is connected with the outer carriage member bi in the same manner as that in which it is connected with the carriage 39 of Figures 1 to 4, the channel member 3'! being welded or otherwise attached to the tubular member 6|.

It will be apparent that, since in the construction of Figures 5 and 6 the turning of the platform 3 about the column I is obtained by the outer carriage member BI rotating on the inner carriage member 60, the invention is not limited to the use of columns of circular section. The rollers 62 and 63 might be arranged to run on tracks provided on a column of any other suitable shape, provided that the column does not prevent the turning of the platform through at least a part of a complete circle.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of the apparatus and I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the particular construction described and shown but desire to avail myself of all such changes and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A hoist comprising a column of circular external section, a tubular carriage surrounding said column, at least two sets of ball bearings carried by said carriage and interposed between said carriage and said column with said balls running on said column, to permit longitudinal and turning movement of said carriage on said column, a platform carried by said carriage, means for raising said platform and carriage up said column and means controlling the angular position of said platform and carriage with respect to said column.

2. A hoist comprising a column of circular external section, a tubular carriage surrounding said column, at least two sets of ball bearings carried by said carriage and interposed between said carriage and said column with said balls running on said column to permit longitudinal and turning movement of said carriage on said column, a platform carried by said carriage, means for raising said platform and carriage up said column and means controlling the angular position of said platform and carriage with respect to said column, said means controlling the angular position of said platform and carriage comprising a pulley displaced laterally from the foot of said column and a cable connected with said platform and passing round said pulley.

3. A hoist comprising a column of circular external section, a tubular carriage surrounding said column, at least two sets of ball bearings carried by said carriage and interposed between said carriage and said column with said balls running on said column to permit longitudinal and turning movement of said carriage on said column, a platform carried by said carriage, means for raising said platform and carriage up said column and means controlling the angular position of said platform and carriage with respect to said column, said means controlling the angular position of said platform and carriage comprising an arm projecting laterally from the base of said column, means connectin said arm with said column to permit said arm being adjusted angularly about said column, a guide member mounted on said arm and a cable connected with said platform and passing round said guide member.

4. A hoist comprising a column, an inner carriage member mounted on said column for longitudinal movement thereof, an outer carriage member rotatably mounted on and surrounding said inner carriage member, a platform secured to said outer carriage member and means for raising said platform up said column.

5. A hoist comprising a hollow column, a pulley swivellably mounted on said column, an inner carriage member mounted on said column for longitudinal movement thereon, an outer carriage member rotatably mounted on and surrounding said inner carriage member, a platform secured to said outer carriage member and a cable connected with said platform and passing over said pulley and down within said column.

6. A hoist comprising a column, an inner carriage member having a plurality of rotatable bearing elements engaging said column to guide said inner carriage member for longitudinal movement up and down said column, an outer carriage member rotatably mounted on and surrounding said inner carriage member, a platform secured to said outer carriage member and means for raising said platform up said column.

'7. A hoist comprising a column, an inner carriage member having a plurality of bearing rollers running on said column to guide said inner carriage member for longitudinal movement up and down said column, an outer carriage member rotatably mounted on said inner carriage member, a platform secured to said outer carriage member, means including a cable connected with said platform for raising and lowering it on said column and means for controlling the angular position of said platform with respect to said column.

8. A hoist as claimed in claim '7, wherein the means for controlling the angular position of said platform comprise a pulley carried by an arm extending laterally from the base of said column and adjustable angularly about said column and a cable attached to said platform and passing round said pulley.

9. A hoist comprising a column, a platform, means connecting said platform with said column for longitudinal and turning movement thereon, a jib mounted on said column arranged for free swiveling movement relative thereto, a pulley connected on said jib, and a cable connected with said platform and passing over said pulley and down within said column, and means for controlling the angular position of the said platform comprising a cable depending downwardly therefrom and a guide member for said cable mounted for angular adjustment about the base of said column.

10. A hoist comprising a hollow column, a platform, anti-friction means connecting said platform with said column for longitudinal and turning movement on it, a jib mounted on the top of said column, said jib being arranged for free swiveling movement relative to said column, a pulley carried by said jib, a cable connected with said platform and passing over said pulley and directly down within said column, a second cable connected to said platform depending downwardly therefrom, and a guide member for said second cable mounted for angular adjustment about the base of said column for controlling the angular position of said platform.

11.A hoist comprising a hollow column, a platform, anti-friction means connecting said platform with said column for longitudinal and turning movement on it, a jib mounted on the top of said column, said jib being arranged for free swiveling movement relative to said column. a pulley carried by said jib, a cable connected with said platform and passing over said pulley and directly down within said column, a second cable connected to said platform depending downwardly therefrom, and a guide member for said second cable mounted for angular adjustment about the base of said column for controlling the angular position of said platform, said guide member comprising an arm extending laterally from the base of said column and adjustable angularly about said column, and a second pulley carried by said arm, said second cable passing over said second pulley.

12. A hoist comprising a hollow column, a platform, anti-friction means connecting said platform with said column for longitudinal and turning movement on it, a jib mounted on the top of said column, said jib being arranged for free swiveling movement relative to said column, a pulley carried by said jib, a cable connected with said platform and passing over said pulley and directly down within said column, a second cable connected to said platform depending downwardly therefrom, and a guide member for said second cable mounted for angular adjustment about the base of said column for controlling the angular position of said platform, said column comprising a plurality of sections adap ed to be erected one upon the other and coaxial screw means for detachably connecting successive sections with each other.

13. A hoist comprising a hollow column, a pulley mounted to swivel freely on said column, an inner carriage member mounted on and surrounding said column for longitudinal movement thereon, an outer carriage member rotatably mounted on and surrounding said inner carriage member, a platform secured to said outer carriage member, and a cable connected with said platform and passing over said pulley down directly within said column.

14. A hoist as claimed in claim 13, wherein said column comprises a plurality of sections adapted to be erected one upon the other and coaxial screw means for detachably connecting successive sections with each other.

EUGENE OSULLIVAN 10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 797,942 Covey Aug. 22, 1905 799,079 Nelson Sept. 12, 1905 854,961 McCarthy May 28, 1907 i 1,134,707 Stone et a1 Apr. 6, 1915 1,291,746 Bradney et a1 Jan. 21, 1919 1,736,102 Stromeyer Nov. 19, 1929 2,410,373 Westervelt, Jr. Oct. 29, 1946 2,419,145 Kersenbrock et a1. Apr. 15, 1947 2,451,359 Schlicksupp Oct. 12, 1948 2,483,109 Smith Sept. 27, 1949 2,500,539 Granath Mar. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 20 Number Country Date 183,905 Great Britain July 26, 1922 212,861 Great Britain June 5, 1924 

